photo © Sea-Water Amplification (SWA) Atlantic Ocean, Azores 2026

The name Fogo Island – the largest of the islands off the coast of Newfoundland – means “fire” in Portuguese and owes its name to the ships that came to this place in the 16th century in search of cod fisheries.

But a lot changed in the 1960s. Fogo Island faces considerable economic challenges. The Challenge for Change (1967 – 1980) program will be created and sponsored by Canada’s National Film Board. The goal of this program was to use film as a participatory tool in social transformation. Films directed by Colin Low in collaboration with the people of Fogo.

But one of the films is very beautiful and is called The Children Of Fogo Island.

…It’s a film about simple joys, about children who have been given the confidence to explore their landscape, their abilities and their friendships without the constant supervision of adults.

I’m thinking of writing a little bit more about the film later because there is a very subtle substance in the film that is important for our educational and research practice within the Sea-Water Amplification.

photo © Sea-Water Amplification (SWA) Atlantic Ocean, Azores 2026